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United States Patent ()fiice 3,3 12,965 Patented Apr. 4, 1967 3,312,965 SUIERVISORY APPARATUS Emmett J. Ward, Maplewood, N.J., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed May 7, 1964, Ser. No. 365,761 4 Claims. (Cl. 340-213) This invention relates to the communication art and has particular relationship to apparatus'for monitoring a region for abnormal conditions. Abnormal conditions monitored in the practice of this invention are referred to in this application as critical and non-critical. Critical abnormal conditions are typified by fires, burglaries and the like. Non-critical abnormal conditions are typified by defects in supervisory apparatus such as sprinkler systems or the like and may also be referred to as supervisory abnormal conditions.

Apparatus for monitoring for both critical and supervisory abnormal conditions is disclosed in an application Serial No. 322,242, filed November 7, 1963 to John Suozzo et al. and assigned to Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The Suozzo application is incorporated in this application by reference.

The Suozzo application discloses supervisory apparatus including a plurality of detectors for detecting both critical and supervisory abnormal conditions in a plurality of areas. For example, a monitored region may have fifty detectors of which thirty are for critical conditions and the other twenty for supervisory abnormal conditions. These fifty detectors are connected to communicate the intelligence of an abnormal condition and also of restoration from an abnormal condition to normality to an area panel. To cover an extended region or building or group of buildings there may be a number of sets of fifity detectors each and a corresponding number of area panels to each of which one of these sets communicates intelligence of conditions. Typically, there may be as many as 100 areas and as many as fifty detectors in each area. Each area panel processes the intelligence received from the detectors connected to it and is in two-way communication with an associated console which is usually continuously monitored by an attendant. The console produces visual and audible alarm signals of abnormal conditions and also signals of restoration. A local printer is associated with the consoles; typically, a single printer may be associated with a number of consoles in communication with an integrated group of area panels. The data as to an abnormality or restoration is printed on a tape by the printer. The data as to abnormalities and restorations is printed differently; abnormalities may be rendered in one color, for example red, and restorations t-o normality in another color, for example black. The typical data which appears on the printer is the date and time of the occurrence of the abnormality or restoration, the character of the abnormality, whether it is a fire or burglary or in supervisory apparatus, so that the site of an abnormal condition may be immediately known and prompt corrective action taken, the area panels, and the areas which they cover, are identified by numbers and the detectors connected to each area panel are also identified by numbers and these numbers are printed on the tape.

It is usually the duty of the attendant at the consoles to take remedial action on the occurrence of an abnormality. But to assure most effective remedial action, it is necessary that the record of an abnormality be printed at a position Where apparatus or personnel is available to take action at once. Typically, such a position may be a fire station where the fire extinguishing vehicles and apparatus is located. Another typical position from which immediate remedial action may be taken is a police station or a police communication center where attendants may the sixth digit includes a number of pulses equal to the 2 .1 communicate with police vehicles. It is an object of this invention to provide facilities for producing a record of an abnormality in areas where immediate corrective action may be taken.

In accordance with this invention in its broad aspects facilities are provided for transmitting the data on the local printer to remote printers which may be located at positions where effective and prompt remedial action may be taken. it is an object of this invention to provide communication apparatus including such remote printers and to provide facilities for transmitting the intelligence or the data as to abnormal conditions and restorations which appear on the tape of the local printer to these remote printers.

In accordance with this invention the communication apparatus is provided which includes a transmitter associated and near the consoles and the local printer, and a receiver connected to a remote printer or remote printers. The inputs to the local printer are connected to the inputs to the transmitter so that the transmitter receives the same intelligence as is impressed on the local printer. This intelligence includes data as to the character of the abnormality or restoration, the color in which the remote printing is to take place, the number of the area panel and the number of the detector. The transmitter converts this data into a six-digit code each digit preferably consisting of a number of pulses. The first digit includes the data as to the character of the abnormality or the restoration. Typically, the first digit may consist of a single pulse for the occurrence of, or restoration from, a critical abnormality or two pulses for occurrence or restoration as to a supervisory defect. The second digit includes the color data (or the the character of the print) in which the information is to be presented at the remote-printer. Typically, the command to print in red is conveyed by a single pulse in the second digit and the data to print in black is conveyed by two pulses. A restoration of a critical abnormality would in this typical situation be communicated by the transmission of a single pulse in the first digit and two pulses in the second digit. The third and the fourth digits contain the number of the area or area panel. The third digit contains a number of pulses equal to the number in the tens place of this number of the area panel and the fourth digit contains a number of pulses equal to the number in the units place of the number of the area panel. Thus, the number 26 would be transmitted in the third and fourth digits as two pulses in the third di-git and six pulses in the fourth digit. The number of the detector is correspondingly contained in the fifth and the sixth digits. The

fifth digit includes a number of pulses equal to the numher in the tens place of the number of the detector and number in the units place of the number of the detector.

The information that the 37th detector had picked up an abnormality would be transmitted'b-y three pulses in the fifth digit in seven pulses in the sixth digit.

In accordance with a specific aspect of this invention the pulses for the digits are produced by the stepping of a step switch in the transmitter. This step switch includes a wiper which passes successively over a number of contacts. Typically, a single step switch may have a number of banks of contacts and these banks can be used to achieve the necessary pulsing. In the practice of this invention the step switch is connected in the transmitter so that the passing of the wiper over the contacts is timed to produce the necessary pulsing. Thus, the

first, second and third contacts of the step switch from time interval to enable the receiver to respond to the signaling as to the character of the abnormality or restoration and then continues on. The fourth, fifth and sixth contacts of the step switch serve to produce the color command for the printer. The wiper stops at the sixth contact long enough to afford the receiver adequate time to respond. Similarily, the seventh through the seventeenth contacts 'of the step switch serve to transmit the tenth place of the number of the area panel and the eighteenth through the twenty-eighth to transmit the units place of the number of the area panel. The twenty-ninth through the thirty-fourth contacts on the step switch serve to transmit the tenth place of the numberof the detector and the thirty-fifth through the forty-sixth contacts serve to transmit the units place of the detector number. Apparatus is provided for causing the step switch to home that is to return to its initial position after it passes through the forty-fifth contact.

In the practice of this invention the transmitter is preset to operate the step switch so that it transmits the sixth digit code and thereafter the transmission is carried out. After the transmission is carried out the transmitter is reset to standby condition. A memory system containing the code is thus connected to the step switch.

At the receiver there is step switch means including a number of step switches which move in synchronism with the step switch at the transmitter and convert the code signal into corresponding operations of the printer mechanism. Typically, there are six of these step switches, the first operating to decode the first digit, the second digit and so on to the sixth which decodes the sixth digit of the transmitted code. The use of separate step switches rather than a single switch at the receiver dispenses with costly memory networks which would be demanded to set a single step switch for decoding.

Because there is only one printer associated with each set of consoles it is necessary to print in succession on the local printer the intelligence as to abnormal conditions in several areas or different abnormal conditions, in one area, which occur simultaneously. As the printing of the intelligence as to each of these simultaneouslyoccurring abnormal conditions by the remote printer is completed the transmitter must be maintained conditioned to transmit the intelligence of the succeeding abnormality to be printed. In accordance with this invention the transmitter is so conditioned by connections to contacts of V the V relays of each of the consoles (FIGS. 3F, 36

Suozzo et al.) through which the appropriate supply conductors of the transmitter are maintained energized. So long as a V relay of any console remains energized the local printing of the corresponding alarm has not been completed. A contact of this same V relay maintains the transmitter conditioned to transmit so long as the V relay remains energized.

Because of the time required for coding by the transmitter and transmission of the code and printing, the remote printer lags behind the local printer and the local printing may be complete before the remote printing. In accordance with this invention, each console is interlocked with the transmitter in such a way as to continue to report to the associated area panel that the intelligence of an alarm is not printed until the remote printing is complete. The step switch at the area panel then continues to cycle and to report the abnormal condition or restoration to be printed.

Novel features considered characteristic of this invention are described above. For a better understanding of this invention, both as to its organization and as to its method of operation, together with additional objectsand advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 2A through 2H together constitute a schematic of the transmitter of an embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C together constitute the schematic of the receiver of this embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing the communication loop between the transmitter and the receiver and the apparatus at each terminal of the loop.

The apparatus shown in the drawings includes a plurality of Critical Detectors DE for detecting critical a normalities such as fires and burglaries in the protected areas. There may be a number of sets of such Critical Detectors; three are shown in FIG. 1. These Critical Detectors are distributed around a protected area. Usually, the buildings or other regions protected may include a number of such areas over which the Critical Detectors DE are distributed so that the areas may be adequately served. The apparatus also includes a plurality of Supervisory Detectors DES. These Detectors are likewise distributed over the areas and are connected to detect abnormalities in the supervisory apparatus. Typically, an any area there may be as many as thirty Critical Detectors DE and twenty Supervisory Detectors DES. The Detectors in any area may be identified by numbers l'through 50.

Each area is serviced by an Area Panel 1,2, 3 which processes the intelligence from the Detectors DE and DES. Each Area Panel communicates through wires with the associated Detectors. The Area Panels may be identified by numbers like the Detectors.

The apparatus shown in the drawings includes a plurality of Consoles 1, 2, 3. A Console is associated with each Area Panel. Each Console is connected in two-way communication with the associated Area Panel through conductors CA1 and CA2. The Consoles are disposed at the communication center where they are attended continuously by an attendant.

The Consoles include signals for indicating that a critical abnormality or restoration has occurred. The attendant watches the display and takes the necessary corrective action. A common local printer is associated with the Consoles. This printer and other apparatus common to all of the Consoles is enclosed in a Common Cabinet Printer. The Consoles are connected to the Common Cabinet Printer through a plurality of conductors OU. The Printer produces a record of each abnormality or restoration in the areas protected. The apparatus thus far described is disclosed in detail in the above-mentioned Suozzo application Serial No. 322,242.

The apparatus according to this invention also includes one or more remote-printers which are typically located in areas where corrective action may be inititated imme diately. Each remote-printer is actuated by the coopera tion of a Transmitter located with the Consoles and the Common Cabinet Printer and a Receiver which is located with the remote-printer. The Receiver and Remote-Printer are shown in FIG. 1 as located together. The Transmitter is connected to the Receiver And Remote-Printer through conductors AC1 and AC2.

The outputs 0U from Console 1, Console 2, Console 3 supply the input INL of the Common Cabinet Printer and the same outputs OU also supply the inputs INR of the Transmitter. The Transmitter feeds back intelligence to the Consoles through channels RPC which cause the associated Area Panels tocontinue to transmit the intelligence as to abnormalities or restorations until the data of this intelligence is printed on the remote-printer. The conductors RPT between each Console and the Transmitter maintain the Transmitter conditioned to be transmitted so long as any V relay in any Console remains actuated.

The apparatus according to this invention includes a number of relays which cooperate to produce the desired communication of the intelligence. The relays are labeled by a letter or by a letter followed by a number, for example T1, T6 and the like. The letter and number usually appears in the drawings within, or adjacent to, the coil of the relay. A number of the relays, for example g C1 and C2 have two coils; the coils of such relays are labeled C11 and C1II. The contacts of the relays are labeled with a small letter a, b, c following the relay label. Thus, the contacts of relay C1 are labeled Cla, Clb The state of the relays during stand-by is of interest in understanding the operation of the apparatus from the drawings alone.

The relays may be described as actuated during standby or unactuated during stand-by. A two coil relay may be energized but unactuated in situations in which the ampere turns of the coils counterbalance each other. In the drawings a relay which is actuated during stand-by is identified by a dot adjacent the rectangle which represents the coil; a similar dot appears adjacent each contact symbol. For example, adjacent the symbol representing the coil of T6 there is a dot. There is also a dot adjacent the contacts T6a, T6b, T6c and T60! of T6.

The apparatus includes a number of relays which are actuated immediately when their coils are energized but drop out a predetermined time interval after their coils are deenergized. These relays are called here slow dropout relays. These relays are identified in the drawings by a decimal which indicates the part of a second taken by the relay to drop out; typically 0.1 indicates 100 milliseconds, 0.05, 50 milliseconds. There are also relays which become actuated a predetermined time interval after their coils are energized. These are called herein slow pick-up relays.

The coil of a step switch is identified in the same way as the coil of other relays. The step switch has a number of contacts which are also identified in the same way as the contacts of the other relays except that the homing contacts which are closed with the step switch away from home carry two small letters, an h and another letter which may be a, b, 0 Thus such a contact of step switch SST is identified by SST/2a. The banks of the step switches are identified by the capital letters identifying the step switch and a small letter. For example a bank of SST is identified by SSTc. The contacts of the different banks are numbered; For example, the banks of SSTc are numbered 1101 and so on.

The banks of the step switches which are used in the actual practice of this invention have 25 contacts. In situations in which more than 25 contacts are necessary the contacts of two banks are swept by wipers in succession. Thus the banks SSTd include a 1300 bank, 1301 through 1325 and a 1400 bank, 1401 through 1425. A Wiper passes in engagement with the 1300 bank from 1300 SST-Step switch iz'nactuated in the home position in stand-by This step switch SST (FIG. 2G) operates to produce the six digit code; it counts the pulses which appear in each digit of the code. This step switch has a coil which is energized to cock the wiper spring for movement of the Wiper arm; the coil is subsequently deenergized and the spring advances the wiper one step. The step switch includes composite banks SSTc and SSTd, respectively. The step switches readily available include banks in each of which there is a home contact and otf-homecontacts. For this reason the banks SSTc and SSTd are composite, each including two sets of banks wiped by separate wipers in succession. SSTc includes the eleven-hundred bank which include contacts 1101 through 1126 and is wiped by wiper 1100 and the twelve-hundred bank including contacts 1201 through 1226 and wiped by wiper 1200. SSTd includes the thirteen-hundred bank including contacts 1301 through 1326 and wiped by wiper 1300 and the fourteen-hundred bank including contacts 1401 through 1426 and wiped by wiper 1400. The eleven-hundred and twelve-hundred banks are connected to operate in succession and the thirteen-hundred and fourteen-hundred banks 7 are connected to operate in succession.

, mitting intelligence to a supervisory abnormality the through 1325 and as the step switch is stepped beyond the 25th step a wiper passes over the 1400 bank from 1400 through 1425.

In the following paragraphs certain properties and the functions of the relays of the Transmitter and Receiver are described.

The Transmitter includes a converter for converting the intelligence received by the Consoles into code. The converter also includes a Coding Unit. This converter also includes a plurality of Code Setting Units identified as a Code Setting Units 1 through VI. Units I through VI respectively set the digits 1 through 6 of the code. The Transmitter includesan Output Unit for transmitting the intelligence as code to the Receiver And Remote Printer.

wiper 1300 moves from 1426 to 1301, producing one pulse, and then to 1302 to produce the second pulse and then stops. To set the remote-printer for red the wiper 1300 moves from 1303 to 1304and then to 1305, to produce two pulses, and then stops. For printing black the wiper moves only from 1303 to 1304. The tens place of the number of the area in which an abnormality I occurs is identified by the movement of the wiper 1300 and 1306 through 1316. The units place of this area is identified by the subsequent movement of the wipers 1300 and 1401 from 13-17 through 1401. The tens place of the number identifying the Detector is introduced into the fifth dig-it of the code by the movement of the wiper 1400 from 1402 through 1407. The uni-ts place of the number identifying the Detector is introduced in the sixth digit of the code by the movement of the wiper 1400 and 1409 through 1420. I

The step switch SST has a' plurality of contacts SSTha, SSThe, SSThf (FIG. 2H) to indicate that the step switch is away from the home position. These h contacts are open with the step switch SST in the home position andclosed when the step switch is away from home. SST also has a homing contact SSTb which is normally closed and is repeatedly opened during a homing operation as the coil is energized to cook the wiper arm spring.

SST is preset for a coding operation by actuation of the appropriate C, S (FIG. 2A), AT (FIG. 2B), AU (FIG. 2C), DT (FIG. 2D) and DU (FIG. 2E) relays. After these relays are set the coding operation is starting. The above relays are set by the signals to the local printer and operate as memory components for the code.

Relay T1-slow drop-out relayzmactuated in stand-by This relay (FIG. 2G) starts the coding operation on the actuation of one of the relays C1 or C2.

Relays T2, T 3sl0w drop-outunactuated in stand-by These relays (FIGS. 2G, 2H) introduce a delay between the transmission or digits of the code, called interdigit delay, to afiord the Receiver and Remote-Printer 5 Time to carry out its function. T1, T2, T3 are deenergized in succession and introduce the necessary delay 1n the stepping of the step switch SST.

Relay T4sl0 w drop-outunactuated in stand-by This relay times the pulses of the different digits of the code which are transmitted along the channel CA1- CA2. During the coding this relay is energized and picks up and is then deenergized and drops out after a time interval of about 60 milliseconds. On actuation of relay T4 contacts T4b and T 40 open, introducing resistance in the signaling circuit (ACl-ACZ) (FIG. 2H) and reducing the current flowing in this circuit. Typically the operation of relay T4 may reduce the current flowing in the channel ACl-ACZ from 0.0394 milliampere to 0.0057 milliarn-pere. This reduction causes a 60-millisecond negative-going pulse to flow along the channels.

Relay T5sl0w drp'-0atunactaatted in stand-by This relay cooperates with T4 to cause T4 to operate repeatedly to produce the signaling and to cause step switch SST to advance the wiper. Actuation of T4 actuates T which in turn deenergizes T4 at contact T5a. This is a teeter-totter operation which causes the step switch to advance one step.

Relay T 6actuated in stand-by This relay (FIG. 2H) causes the Transmitter to be reset when the step switch SST sticks away from home. This relay also opens the circuit to the RFC relays (FIG. 2A) if SST sticks. This enables the Consoles and Area Panels to operate without being affected by the Transmitter.

Relay T9sl0w pull-in (1}.5 mirzutes)-unactuated in stand-by This relay causes T6 to drop out to perform its resetting function when SST sticks. T9 is energized when SST is away from home but must be energized continuously for 1.5 minutes to be actuated. If SST sticks for 1.5 minutes T9 is actuated dropping out T6.

Relay T7-unactuated in stand-by This relay cooperates with T8 in the homing of stepswitch SST. This relay is actuated when SST is away from home and actuates T8 to open the circuit through the home contact 1426 (FIG. 26) until after SST returns to home.

Relay T8sl0w drop-0utunactuated in stand-by This relay cooperates with 'T7, it opens the home circuit at T 8a until after SST returns to home.

Relay T18unactualed in stand-by This relay cooperates with bank SSTc to reset step switch SST after the transmission of a code.

Code Setting Unit 1 includes relays c1 and c2 (FIG. 2A).

Relay C1lwb-c0il relayanactuated in stand by in circuit 200L, ZRE, Cla, CH, CH), TN and remains blocked in after the 100-millisecond pulse stops.

Relay C2tw0-c0il relaytmactuafed in stand-by This relay sets step-switch SST for transmitting two pulses on the first digit of the code indicating a noncritical abnormal condition involving supervisory equip- 8 ment. In this case a pulse of positive polarity and of -millisecond duration is impressed on SUA from the Console involved. This energizes C211 and relay C2 is locked in in circuit 200L, ZRE, C2a, C21, C21), Cld, TN and remains locked in after the 100-millisecond pulse stops.

Code Setting Unit II includes relays S1, S2, S3 and NPS (FIG. 2A).

SI-unactuated in standby S3--rmactuated in stand-by This relay and S1 sets the step switch SST for transmitting two pulses on the second digit to command the remote-printer to print red. On the occurrence of an abnormality positive pulses, (100 ms.) duration, are impressed by the associated Console both on PBA and PRA. Relay S1 is actuated through back contact S2a and relay S3 through its back contact 83a and both are locked in,

relay S1 in circuit 200L, Cle, Slla, S2, S1, TN and relay S3 in circuit 200L, Cle or C2e, S311, S3, TN.

Relay S2tmactuated in stand-by This relay cooperates with S1 to prevent mal-operation by repeated signals on PBA.

Relay NPS-unactuated in stand-by This relay causes the Area Panel involved to continue cycling its step switch to repeat the intelligence of an abnormality or restoration until the remote printing is completed. The NPS relay remains actuated as long as the Cle or C2e remain closed; that is, as long as the Transmitter has not completed the transmission. The actuation of the NPS relay actuates and RFC relay in the signaling circuit of the Console involved and this circuit continues to signal back to the associated Area Panel that the intelligence has not been printed. (See FIG. 2A this application; FIG. 3A Suozzo application.)

The Code Setting Unit III includes the relays AT1 through ATltl (FIG. 2B

Relays AT1 through AT10tw 0-c0il relaysun'actuated in stand-by These relays set step-switch SST for transmitting a number of pulses in the third digit of the code equal to thetens place in the number of an area in which an abnormality or restoration has occurred. Each of these relays has two coils one labeled I and the other labeled II. Each relay is actuated by flow current through the coil designated by I and is held in actuated condition through a d contact by the coil designated II. Actuation of any one of these relays prevents actuation of the other relays of the chain. When one of these AT relays is actuated, the corresponding contact (FIG. 2G) connected to a corresponding SSTd contact of the step switch SST is opened and the step switch is conditioned to count a number of pulses corresponding to the tenth place of the number of the area. Actuation of one of the AT relays also closes an e contact to impress power on conductor H1 which permits current to flow through the coil T1.

The Code Setting Unit IV includes the relays AUI through AU9 (FIG. 20). t I

9 Relays A U] through A U] -two-c0il relaysunactuated in stand-by These relays set step switch SST for transmitting a number of pulses in the fourth digit of the code equal the units place of a number of the area in which an abnormality restoration has occurred. These relays are similar to the relays AT1 through AT10 having two coils labeled I and II and are analogously connected.

Code Setting Unit V includes relays DT1 through DT (FIG. 2D).

Relays D'T] through DT5tw0-coil relays unactuated in stand-by These relays set step switch SST for transmitting a number of pulses in the fifth digit of the code equal to the tens place of the detector DE or DES which picks up an abnormality or restoration. The coils of relays DT1 through DTS are labeled I and II and are connected similarly to the relay AT1 through AT and AUl through AU9.

Code Setting Unit VI sets the number of pulses in the sixth digit of the code. This unit includes the relays DUI through DU10 (FIG. 2E).

Relay DU] through DU10two-coil relays anactuated in stand-by These relays set step switch SST for transmitting a number of pulses, in the sixth digit of the code, equal to the units place of the number of a detector DE or DES which responds to an abnormality or a restoration. These relays are connected similarly to the AT, AU and DT relays.

The Output Unit includes the relays T10, T11, T12, T13 (FIG. 2H).

Relay Tl0actaaled llll stand-by This relay detects defects in communication channel. When a defect occurs T10 becomes deenergized and drops out energizing T11 which in turn deenergizes T12, T12 deenergizes T13- providing an alternative communication channel to the loop ACl-AC2.

Relay T11slow drop-0ut-unactuatea in stand-by This relay provides an alternative channel on the occurrence of a defect in the primary communication channel. In this case T10 drops out actuating T11.

Relay T12actuated in stand-by This relay cooperates with T10- and T11 to provide the alternative communication channel. This relay is actuated by the installation or service personnel when the apparatus is set for operation. For this purpose, the contact T12a is held closed locking the relay in through Tlla. When the defect in the primary communication loop occurs a signal appears. The apparatus must then be serviced and set back in normal operation by holding T12a closed.

Relay T13--actuated in stand-by This relay cooperates with the relays T10, T11 and T12 to provide the alternative communication channel. With relay T13 actuated, the communication is along the loop AC1 and/or AC2. and through ground.

- The Receiver and Remote-Printer includes an Input Unit, a Step Switch Sequencing Unit, a Resetting Unit, a Step Switch Unit, Decoding Unit I, Decoding Unit II, Decoding Unit III, Decoding Unit IV, Decoding Unit V and Decoding Unit VI.

10 The Decoding Units decode the code received from the Transmitter and transmits the intelligence to the remote printer to print the data. Each Decoding Unit I through VI corresponds to a Code Setting Unit I through VI of the Transmitter. The Deco-ding Units I through VI seq-uentially decode the digits I through VI of the code.

The Input Unit includes the relays RP I, RPZ, RP3, RP4 and RPS (FIG. 3a).

The Receiver and Remote-Printer has a number of relays the functions of which are described in detail in the following paragraphs.

Relay RP1sl0w drop-outactuated in stand-by This relay functions to detect an open circuit or a short circuit in the conductors AC1 and AC2 on the receiver side of the communication channel. The relay is ener gized by the current which flows through the communication-channel conductors AC1 and AC2. During the signaling when the current is reduced from 0.0394 milliampere to 0.0057 milliampere, the relay remains actuated continually. The relay only drops out if the communication channel is open circuited or short circuited.

Relay RP2tw0-c0il relay --unactaaled during stand-by This relay repeats the pulses in the digits of the code and actuates the step switches R1 through R6 (FIG. 3B) to decode each of the respective digits. Typically, each of the coils, RPZI and RPZII, of RP2 may be of ohms and may be wound with 5100 turns. Each Win-ding is connected in circuit with 1100 ohms external resistance. The windings I and II are connected so that their ampere turns are opposed and in the absence of received signals relay RPZ While energized is unactuated. During each pulse of each digit the current in the communication channel is reduced from 0.0394 milli-ampere to 0.0057 milliampere for an interval of about 60 milliseconds. The ampere turns in R'P2I is then reduced to 27 while the ampere turns in RPZII remains at 205 so that the relay is actuated to repeat each pulse.

Relay RP3-slow drop-oat-anactuated in stand-by This relay (FIG. 3B) operates to provide a time interval between reception of digits of the code from the Transmitter. This relay also cooperates in the sequencing of the Step Switch Sequencing Unit by operation of contact RP3a.

' Relay RP4sl0w dr0p-0ut-unactuatea' in stand-by This relay cooperates with relay RP20 of the Resetting Unit to reset the apparatus after the transmission of a code.

Relay RP5-actuated in stand-by relays RP6 through RP19.

RP6 through RP19unactuated in stand-by These relays are actuated in sequence to cause the step switches R1 through R6 to operate in sequence. The odd numbered relays RP7, RP9, RP13, RP15, RP17 and RP19 are actuated during the interdigit interval to condition succeeding step switches R2 through R6 respectively, to be stepped, each in its turn. The pulsing takes place through the back contacts of these odd numbered relays before these relays are in their turn actuated. All the step switches R1 through R6 are stepped through the back contact of one of these odd numbered relays each in its turn as relay RPZ is energized and deenergizcd responsive to the 60-millisecond pulses of each digit of the code. The first step switch R1 is caused to step through contacts RP 2a and RP7c. The other step switches R2 through R6 are stepped, each in its turn, through the RP2a contact and the d contact of the relay through the back contact of which the preceding step switch is stepped and through a back contact of the next odd numbered R=P relay. The sequencing from one odd numbered RP relay to the other is effected by the even numbered relays. Thus, initially RP6 is actuated in turn conditioning RP7 to be actuated at RP6a. RP7 is actuated during the interdigit interval when RPS drops out. At the start of the next digit RPS is actuated conditioning RP9 to be actuated. RP9 is actuated when RP3 again drops out during interdigit interval. The other RP switches RP6 through RP19 operate similarly.

The Resetting Unit includes the relays RP20 through RP2'4. Of these, relays R1 23 and RPZS cooperate to produce a resetting operation on the occurrence of a defect in the apparatus.

Relay RPZO-unactuated in stand-by This relay (FIG. 3A) causes the printing operation to be carried out after the code has been set in step switches R'l through R6. This relay also starts the resetting operation of the Resetting Unit. This relay is actuated following actuation of RP18 and deenergization of R1 3 and RP'4. RP20c through RPZ'ilh close (FIG. 3C) and the printing is carried out.

Relay RP21-slow dr0p-0ut-unactuated in stand-by This relay cooperates with relay RP20 to carry out the resetting operation. When RPM) is actuated, RP21 is actuated. When relay RPZO is deenergized on the opening of RP3b and RP4a, RPZtDb closes and RPZla being closed RP22 is energized and actuated.

Relay RP22-tmactuated in stand-by This relay operates to reset the apparatus. When this relay is actuated it is locked in through its lock-in contact RPZZa and any of the contacts Rlhb through Rdhb of the step switches R1 through R6. These hb contacts are closed so long as the associates step switch is away from home. RP22 is also energized when RP23 is actuated closing its contact RP23a and performing its resetting operation if any of the step switches R1 through R6 stick.

Relay 23sl0w pull in (15 sec. to 2 min.)unactuated in stand-by If any of the step switches stick, relay RP23 would be energized for a long interval and would become actuated actuating relay RP22 to reset the apparatus.

Relay RP24sl0w pull in-mtactuated in stand-by On the sticking of a step switch, this relay operates a signal and produces a display to indicate a defect.

Relay RP25-sl0w pull in (15 sec. to 2 min.)

On the occurrence of a short circuit of the line conductors AC1 and AC2, relay 2 would be actuated closing RPZa. If the short circuit persists relay R1 25 would be actuated. Contact RP25a would then :open deenergizing relay RPS "and the communication channel would be set to communicate between the conductors AC1 and AC2 and ground.

The Step Switch Unit includes the step switches R1 through R5. Each of these step switches is operated to decode a digit of the code. Separate step switches are used rather than a single step switch to eliminate the memory relays which would be necessary if a single step switch similar to SST of the Transmitter were used. Under such circumstances memory relays analogous to C1, C2, S1, S3, AT1 through ATitt, AUl through AU9, DT1 through DTS and DU1 through DU9 would be necessary. I

Each step switch R1 through Rd has a pair of contacts Riha through Rain: and Rfthb through Rhb; these may be described as homing contacts. When any of these step switches are at home, the ha and hb contacts are open and when any of these switches is away from home, these ha and hi) contacts are closed. In addition, the step switches R1 through R6 have a self-homing or self-stepping contact R10 through R60. The coil of each step switch R1 through R6 may be energize-d through a contact RPZZb through RP22g. On each energization of a coil the associated 0 contact is opened causing the coil to be deenergized and the switch to advance a step. The re closing of the c contact causes this operation to be repeated.

Decoding Unit I includes contacts 1R1, 102 and 103 of step switch R1 and contact RP20d (FIG. 3C).

The Decoding Unit II includes the contact RP20c and the relays RPM and R1 11.

Relays RPM and RP11unactuated in stand-by The Decoding Unit III includes the contact RP20e and the contacts R3d of step switch R3. The step switch R3 steps off a number of steps equal to the tens place of the number of area where the abnormality occurred and when RPZtBe closes the corresponding number is printed in the tens place of the number of the area.

The Decoding Unit IV includes the contact RPZttf and the contacts R403 of the step switch R4. The step switch R4 inits turn operates to step off a number of steps equal to the units place of a number of the area in which the abnormality occurred and this is printed in the units place when RPZW closes.

The Decoding Unit V includes the contact RPZOg and the contact R5d of step switch R5. This operation is similar to that of R3d and RM. The Decoding Unit VI includes the contacts RPZtIh and Rod of the step switch R6. V

Transmitter stand-by During standby, power is supplied to the supply conductors ZWL and ZtBZL, relays Tlt), T12 and T13 are actuated. Current flows through the loop AC1 and AC2. Typically, this current maybe of the order of .0394 milliampere. T6 is also actuated, because T9 is unactuated, and a negative potential is impressed on TN in the following circuit ZltZL, llRe, T81), Tod (FIG. 2H). Negative potentials are then'applied through TN to the negative terminals of the Code Setting Unit VI, Code Setting Unit V, Code Setting Unit IV, Code Setting Unit III, Code Setting Unit II, Code Setting Unit I. In addition, the RFC conductor (FIG. 2A) is conditioned to receive positive potential, on the actuation of relay NPS, through the closed contact T60.

Transmittal operation For purpose of explaining the operation, assume that a fire originating in the area covered by area panel 26 is detected by detector 49. As disclosed in the Suozzo et al. application 322,242, the information as to the abnormality is printed on the local printer which is in the Common Cabinet Printer by the cooperation of Console 26. This Console causes a pulse typically of a IOO-millisecond duration and of positive polarity to appear on the inputs to the Common Cabinet Printer and also at the following terminals of the Transmitter.

Terminal: Significance FA Fire. PBA, PRA Print in red ink. AT2A The number of area is in the twenties. AU6 The number of the area a is 26. DT4A The number of the detector is in the forties. DU9A The number of the detector is 49.

The impressing of the pulse on FA causes coil ClII to 'be energized in the following circuit: FA, ClII, Clc, CZd, Cla', TN. C1 is actuated and CH1 is locked in through Clb and the energization of relay C2 is prevented by the opening of contact Cld. So long as the 100-millis-econd pulse persists, there is positive potential both on 200L and on FA (on both sides of C11) and C11 remains deenergized. At the end of the 100 milliseconds, the positive potential on FA disappears and C11 is energized in the following circuit: 200L, 2R0, Cla, C1I, Clb, TN. At this time, C1 is open, coil C111 is then deenergized and the relay remains locked in through C11.

The opening of C10 does not affect the energization of CHI-because it is locked in through Cib so long as the pulse on FA persists. After this pulse, the relay C1 re mains locked in by the energization of the coil CH. The locking in of C11 gives the Transmitter the facility of a memory as to the fire alarm signal.

The impressing of the IOU-millisecond pulse on PBA causes relay S1 to be energizedin the following circuit: PBA, S2a, S1, TN. Contact 810 closes, and C10 is also closed but as long as the 100-millisecond pulse persists S2 remains deenergized. At the end of the 100-milli- 1 second pulse, S2 is energized'in series with S1 in circuit; 200L, C10, Sla, S2, S1. Energization of S1 also causes relay NPS to be energized in circuit PBA, Slb, NPSa, NPS, TN. Relay NPS is locked in, after the 100- millisecond pulse stops in circuit; 200L, C10, NPSb, NTS, TN.

The pulse on PRA causes S3 to be energized in circuit: PRA, S30, S3, TN and S3 is locked in circuit: 2001., C10, S312, S3, TN. With NPScv closed, relay RPC is energized in the following circuit: 200L, NPSc, T60, the RFC Conductor to Console 26 (see Suozzo et al. application FIG. 3A). Contact RPCa is then opened.- This contact is in series with contact Ga of Console 26. At-the end of the local printing operation, Ga recloses so that, with RPCa not in the signaling circuit of the Console 26, a pulse of reduced current is transmitted from Console 26 to Area Panel 26 (Suozzo application). Such a low pulse would indicate that the printing has been completed and that the stepping in Area Panel 26 should discontinue at the home position of the step switch SS. But the actuation of RPC opens RPCa so that the pulse transmitted is a pulse of zero current in eifect telling the Area Panel that the printing is not completed. The step switch SS in the Area Panel 26 then continues to step retransrnitting the data as to the fire and the other data until the printing is complete and RFC is deenergized (by opening of NPSc) and drops out. This facility affords time for the remote printing of a second abnormal condition after the first was printed.

The -millisecond pulse also appears on conductor ATZA (FIG. 2F). Relay AT2 is actuate-d in circuit ATZA (FIG. 2F) AT2I, ATZa, AT10b, AT9b, ATSb, AT7b, AT6b, A'ISb, AT4b, AT3b, ATZb, ATlb, TN. The relay ATZ is locked in circuit 200L, 3R0, A'IZd, AT2II, TN. Actuation of any other AT relays is prevented by the opening of AT2b. When the 100-tnillisecond pulse disappears from ATZA, the Coil ATZI is deenergized but the relay remains locked in through AT2II.

Similarly, relay AU6 is energized through coil AU6l and locked in through coil AU6II and contact AU6d and resistor 4R0. DT4 is also energized through coil BT41 and locked into through resistor 5R0, DT4d, DT4II. DU9 is energized through DU9I and locked in through resistor 6R0, DU9d and DU9II.

The above-described relay network is essentially a memory network which enables the Transmitter to remember the data to be transmitted to the remote printer. The data is transmitted in digits of a code in succession. The actuation of the C1 applies power to H1 through Clf (FIG. 2A) and through H1 to the coil of T1 in the following circuit: 200L, Clf, H1, T802, 1426, 1300 (home position of SSTd), T60, T1, 202L. Relay T2 is ener gized through T10 and immediately actuated. Relay T3 is energized through T20 and immediately actuated. T4 is actuated in circuit 200L, Clf, H1, T8a, 1426, 1300, T60, Tlb, T180, T501, T4, 202L.

T5 is energized through T4a, T4 is then deenergized at T5a. Relays T4 and T5 thus teeter-totter. On the energization of T4, the coil of SST is energized through T412. On the energization of T50, the coil of SST is deenergized and the step switch SST is advanced one step. The wiper contact 1400 moves into engagement with 1301. Contact 1301 is disconnected at Clg which is open. T4 then does not become reenergized through T50, T1811, Tlb, T60, 1300, 1301. The advance of the step switch is then temporarily stopped.

While T4 is actuated, T40 and T4d in the communication channel (FIG. 2H) are opened so that the current through conductors AC1 and AC2 is reduced. Typically,

the current may be reduced from 0.0394 milliampere to 0.0057 milliampere. A negative going pulse, typically of 60 milliseconds duration, is then impressed on conductors AC1 and AC2. This pulse is the contents of the first digit of the code.

When step switch SST advances to the first step a circuit is closed through 200L, SSThe, T212, T3a, T180, T4, 202L. This circuit functions during the interdigit interval when T1, T2 and T3 are deenergized in succession.

With the circuit from H1 through T1 open at 1301, relay T1 is deenergized, relay T2 is deenergized and relay T3 is deenergized. There is a delay of several hundred milliseconds between the deenergization of T1 and the deenergization of T3. With T3 deenergized, T31; is closed. In the first step of SST, SSTHf is also closed and T9 is energized. But T9 does not become actuated for about 1 /2 minutes. Unless the apparatus sticks at this point for more than 1 /2 minutes, T9 does not become actuated.

When T1 became deenergized, Tla closed. At this point, T20 was also closed because of the delay in the dropping out of T2 after its coil became deenergized. T18 is energized in circuit 200L, Tla, T20, T18, 202L and is locked in. At this point, the Wiper 1100 of bank SSTc is at 1101 so that T18 is locked in through T181), wiper 1100 and contact 1101.

The coil of SST is then energized in circuit 2001b, 1101, 1100, T180, SSTb, SST, 202L (1100 had advanced to 1101 with 1300). SSTb is then opened and the step switch advances one step. The wiper 1300 of SSTd is 

1. APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING INTELLIGENCE OF ABNORMAL CONDITIONS AND/OR RESTORATIONS TO NORMAL CONDITIONS IN ANY OF A PLURALITY OF AREAS, COMPRISING CONDITION-DETECTOR MEANS IN EACH OF SAID AREAS, INTELLIGENCE PROCESSING MEANS, FIRST TRANSMITTING MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID DETECTOR MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING INTELLIGENCE OF ABNORMAL CONDITIONS AND/OR RESTORATIONS IN ANY OF SAID AREAS TO SAID INTELLIGENCE PROCESSING MEANS, SAID PROCESSING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS, CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST TRANSMITTING MEANS, RESPONSIVE TO THE COMPLETION OF THE PROCESSING OF SAID INTELLIGENCE BY SAID PROCESSING MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID FIRST TRANSMITTING MEANS TO PERFORM A PREDETERMINED OPERATION APPROPRIATE TO SAID COMPLETION, RECEIVING MEANS, REMOTE-PRINTER MEANS FOR PRINTING THE DATA OF SAID INTELLIGENCE, SECOND TRANSMITTING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID PROCESSING MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING THE INTELLIGENCE PROCESSED BY SAID PROCESSING MEANS TO SAID RECEIVING MEANS, SAID SECOND TRANSMITTING MEANS INCLUDING MEMORY MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID PROCESSING MEANS FOR PREVENTING ACTUATION OF SAID COMPLETION-RESPONSIVE ACTUABLE MEANS UNTIL AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE TRANSMISSION OF SAID INTELLIGENCE BY SAID SECOND TRANSMITTING MEANS, AND MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID RECEIVING MEANS AND TO SAID REMOTE-PRINTER MEANS FOR PRINTING THE INTELLIGENCE PROCESSED BY SAID PROCESSING MEANS. 